16/02/2014  Shatin  Race 2

GUN PIT began only fairly and then shortly after the start was taken across behind runners. FULL TALENT became unbalanced shortly after the start after being bumped by SPARKLING SWORD which shifted out. When FULL TALENT shifted out, REBORN TO WIN was crowded for room inside SAMADHI. From the outside barrier, BRIGHT STAR was taken across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1000 Metres, REBORN TO WIN commenced to over-race and got its head up for some distance when racing in restricted room between GUN PIT and VARA PEARL which was racing tight inside SUPER TORNADO. Then making the first turn after the 900 Metres, REBORN TO WIN got its head on the side and hung out, resulting in BRIGHT STAR being crowded for room inside MELLIFLUENT. SUPER TORNADO lost its left front plate approaching the 900 Metres, Near the 900 Metres, JOLLY SPRING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPARKLING SWORD. Approaching the 300 Metres, DOUBLE DRAGON shifted out and bumped JOLLY SPRING. Near the 250 Metres, DOUBLE DRAGON was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SPARKLING SWORD which shifted out marginally. For some distance approaching and passing the 100 Metres, REBORN TO WIN was held up for clear running when awkwardly placed behind FAY DEEP and inside SAMADHI which was giving ground. Throughout the race, DOUBLE DRAGON travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MELLIFLUENT, Z Purton stated that, from barrier 11, he had been instructed to shift the horse across behind runners in the early stages and obtain a position with cover which was felt would be towards the rear of the field. He said after the horse was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the concluding stages at its only other race start in Hong Kong, it was felt that it may finish off its race stronger were it to be ridden quietly. He said following its first start, he had ridden the horse in a barrier trial and on that occasion MELLIFLUENT, after being ridden in a rearward position, closed off the trial strongly. He said today after shifting his mount across behind runners in accordance with his instructions in the early stages, MELLIFLUENT travelled well. He said although MELLIFLUENT was bumped by BRIGHT STAR making the first turn, this was of no consequence as MELLIFLUENT did not become unbalanced and was still able to travel strongly. He added he followed VARA PEARL rounding the Home Turn and shifted MELLIFLUENT to that horse’s outside at the entrance to the Straight. He said when placed under pressure MELLIFLUENT did not respond to his riding and was inclined to lay out under pressure. He said MELLIFLUENT did not quicken at any stage of the race and, in his opinion, was disappointing. Trainer C S Shum stated that after MELLIFLUENT tired over the concluding stages at its first run, Jockey Purton suggested to him that they consider riding the horse more quietly in its future starts to see if it would be able to close off the race with more purpose. He said because of this advice, he elected to trial MELLIFLUENT before starting the horse again to establish whether it would indeed be able to finish off better if ridden quietly. He said in the barrier trial he was satisfied with the way MELLIFLUENT closed off and therefore it was decided to ride the horse more quietly today irrespective of which barrier it drew. He said he was disappointed with the performance of MELLIFLUENT, however, he did say that the horse was only having its second start and was not suited by having to race wide. A veterinary inspection of MELLIFLUENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MELLIFLUENT, a favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MELLIFLUENT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of BRIGHT STAR immediately following the race found the horse to have blood at both nostrils, however, an endoscopic examination found there to be no blood emanating from the lungs or located in the trachea and accordingly BRIGHT STAR was not deemed to have bled. MELLIFLUENT, FULL TALENT and HEAMERIC TE SPECSO were sent for sampling. <17/2/2014 Additional Veterinary Report> The Veterinary Officer reported that SAMADHI was found to be lame in its left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, SAMADHI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.